Movies Talk Archive November 01 2013 to December 01 2013

29 Nov 2013 20:42:11
Anybody seen The Butler? Tempted to go see it on Monday . Looking for a critics review :-) Ed039

To be honest not my sort of thing, managed to hold out on being dragged to see it so far. Mort

25 Nov 2013 19:39:53
Has anyone seen 7 pyschopaths?

I haven't laughed at a film so much since I saw In Bruges.

Mort

16 Nov 2013 20:35:00
Yesterday watched Oblivion, the Tom Cruise flick, pretty decent, twist was expected but overall pretty solid.

Mort

Enjoyed it too Mort special effects were great.

Larky Bear

Oblivion was a serious let down. poor story, poor script, and extremely poor ending. However the worst part of it all was the lacklustre acting. Ok they didn't have the best tools to work with, but for so many big name actors to make a complete hash of a film shows me they were all there for a payday.

However there were some excellent cgi scenes - the way the ships moved and the drones especially.

Overall I would give it a 4/10 - big plot holes and poor acting glossed over by great visuals.

Didn't think acting was that poor.

Ok Cruise did his usual hero complex thing but I think that's a manifestation of small man syndrome.

Andrea Riseborough and Whatshername from Bond didn't have a great deal to do but TC's leading ladies haven't ever since he split from Nicole. But wht they did do was competent. And sure Morgan Freeman looks like he's slowing down but again competent.

I agree the script could have been better but I liked the Horatio Cocles references as those of us with a classical education knew what was coming. Story was good if a little generic, ending was a bit meh but again that TC for you.

CGI was very good and an example for other films on how to use it.

Mort

I actually agree with your summary mort, but I still give it 4/10.

The thing that really let it down for me was that Morgan Freeman was probably the worst out of all the cast. It may have been because he has been so consistently good for so many years it was a shock to see him give a poor performance. With him off his game it really showed a lack of quality script. This is the man whose voice could soothe the kraken!

Again I will say the cgi was amazing and the only thing that made it a worthwhile trip to the cinema.

Yeah I'm glad I never paid the over charging fee they charge these days at the cinema.

I think Freeman might be slowing down with age, he seems to have done a lot lately and maybe its took its toll?

Decent film, and I would rewatch it. I've seen better but then I've sat through worse.

Mort

11 Nov 2013 09:53:26
Following the news that Netflix and Marvel had made a deal for four new live-action TV series featuring Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist and Luke Cage, thereafter to culminate in an ensemble Defenders series, Disney CEO and Chairman Bob Iger was asked whether, should the series become hits, big-screen outings might be a possibility for the characters?

Yes, was Iger's answer. After admitting that the four characters in question were "not among the most popular" and thus unlikely to have been in a feature film, Iger conceded that if the Netflix series are hits, "feature films for the individual characters are not out of the question".

Hardly earth shattering news, as a successful series tends to lead to a film if possible, but still, they do need to do a better job with Dare Devil than the last time!

11 Nov 2013 09:48:01
Nice work if you can get it, Matt Damon received $150k a second (yes a second!) for his role in the latest Nespresso advert alongside George Clooney.

08 Nov 2013 11:15:51
{Ed001's Note - I was just thinking, where the hell was Spiderman during Avengers Assemble's 'Battle of New York'? Surely he would have noticed the invasion of his home city by rampaging aliens? Or was he too busy chasing pickpockets?}

More like Parker was off having another whiny teen angst moment crying into his pillow over MJ. {Ed001's Note - hahaha, yeah it does seem to have moved that way with the latest Spidey films. It is odd he wasn't at least in some kind of cameo role or referenced in some way though.}

Maybe they thought that they had enough characters already in there with Iron Man, Thor, Hulk etc and the rivalry between Iron Man and the others.

Maybe they decided to hold Spider Man back for the follow up? Gives them something new to add?

Also didn't the new Spider Man film come out in the same year so decided it would to be much of him, and they wanted to test how the new film went first?

Mort {Ed001's Note - I can understand that, but it makes no sense to the way the Marvel Universe has been developed to leave out a character based in the city. Even if they were just mentioned in passing in some way, it would have just tied in the whole set of characters together. Now any attempt to mingle Spidey in with the rest in a later film is going to seem a bit silly.}

They could add something in the next film though maybe?

Have it turn out he was locked up in a lab being experimented on for research or something?

I agree they could have just had a throw away line explaining his absence but I think in that film they were just to determined to throw as many loud bangs at the screen as possible.

Mort {Ed001's Note - I suppose they could then make a film explaining his absence, but this is the Hollywood and comic book world, where inconsistencies are just rewritten!}

Well probably the easiest way tut someone else's mistakes is just to ignore them.

Be interesting to see what they do with Bat Man for example, what direction do they go in?

Mort {Ed001's Note - I just hope they continue in the same vein as the Dark Knight series.}

I think they'll wreck it with this Bat Man versus Superman rubbish!

Was never a fan of Superman.

ort {Ed001's Note - I have to be honest, I have never liked Superman, always hated the character, films and comics.}

All that truth, justice and the American way babble, off putting for a non US audience. Blatant propaganda tool. Far too preachy.

And always seems to be a convenient super power of the week that bails him out.

Much prefer something like Bat Man where really all he's got is his skills to rely on. Although they started bringing in too much high tech stuff. Also Bat Man is far more interesting as he's bonkers! Billionaire turned vigilante, proper psychologically interesting.

Mort {Ed001's Note - I find Captain America the same sickening propaganda nonsense too, though I was glad they kept away from it with Avengers Assemble and made it light hearted instead of preachy.

Batman I do like, though the billionaire protecting us behind the scenes bit seems a bit of a propaganda tool too. Trying to make out they aren't all bloodsucking leeches living the high life on money they didn't earn, well it just stretches credibility far beyond the realms of Superman's powers! Plus DC did the exact same thing with Arrow, which was silly, as it now feels like it is overdone.}

Yeah think they realised it wouldn't go down to well these days with Mr Rogers, and also in his solo film they di show the origins of him being that propaganda tool, and showed it up as well.

Well you'd need a few billion to fund the batcave and all the other toys Ed.

Mort {Ed001's Note - true, but we all know that there will never be a billionaire playboy who gives a monkey's for the poor.}

Same discussion on 2 boards ed.

Mort

PS watched your fave film last night, Tokyo Drift. Mildly entertaining. {Ed001's Note - mildly is going a bit over the top on its entertainment value.}

Was nowt else on and had to wait up till midnight, there is some truly awful cack on at that time of night. Most channels either switch over to casino's or 24 hour shopping channels that make the one in Phoenix Nights look like Harrods.

Mort {Ed001's Note - I tend to always have a ton of stuff plussed that I can catch up on. I never have the time to watch it all.}

I know what you mean. I have a bon of boxsets to finish watching, managed to acquire Spielbergs The Pacific from a charity shop for under a fiver and i'm looking longingly at the forthcoming Game Of Thrones boxset.

Mort {Ed001's Note - I still find Game of Thrones a bit longwinded. Too much jumping back and forth between different storylines. Having said that, I was getting into it before the last season ended, simply by watching them in one go, rather than week by week. My memory isn't good enough to keep up with a once a week watch, so watching it all in one go enabled me to finally sort out what was happening!}

Marvel don't have the rights to use Spider-man. The rights are owned by Sony.

Yeah its better to watch stuff like that in chunks. I've been watching old star trek boxsets, 6 episodes over a weekend or so. I was getting into series 1 but then the channel that was showing it on freeview cut it half way through and replaced it with the Borgia's couldn't get into that at all. So roll on Feb and the 3 series boxset. Mort {Ed001's Note - me mam loves Borgias, but it does nothing for me. Still, it is a lot better than any Star Trek, I really can't stand them shows. The only thing they are good for is the odd quiz answer, such as the first interracial on-screen kiss was between Kirk and Uhura.}

Borgia's are an interesting family and interesting period but they just made it so dull! How can you cock up something like that?

Trek's alright, especially when the alternative is EastEnders or TOWIE/ Geordie Shore whatever the other one is called.

Mort {Ed001's Note - I agree about the Borgias, they almost achieved the impossible making them seem boring! As for Trek, I would just turn the TV off and play a game instead.}

Ed I do try for games but all the Mrs wants to play is hide an seek. Other day I was hiding for 5 hours before I gave up waiting to be found :(

Mort {Ed001's Note - I misread that initially as 'hide the sausage', was thinking you were boasting then about the 5 hours!}

I wish Ed! Those days are long gone!

Mort {Ed001's Note - just be glad they ever existed mate, I know I would be, if they ever had happened.....}

Haha now its more like Jamie's 15 minute meals.

Mort {Ed001's Note - I thought you would only get it every 15 years after marriage?}

Have to play your cards right Ed. Mort {Ed001's Note - that must be where I am going wrong, I was never a fan of Bruce Forsyth!}

Dance classes Ed, dance classes ;) Mort {Ed001's Note - yeah, I think I will give that a miss, I can fall over stood still, dancing is not my thing!}

Wasn't mine either but practice helps. That and weekends away. Mutual hobbies. Also a certain book *cough Mort {Ed001's Note - please don't tell me you are talking about that 50 shades rubbish!!}

Meant to ask, getting back onto films, have you ever heard of The Warrior and the Wolf? Think it was called that. {Ed001's Note - I have seen it, I don't remember it being very good though, bit like Crouching Tiger for me, all arty rather than action. I am pretty sure it is all the wire flying stunts etc too, which I hate, I prefer the Tony Jaa type acrobatics.}

16 Nov 2013 19:20:59
No Ed the other book, she did try 50 shades but you have to draw the line somewhere!

Yeah I saw that Wolf thing yesterday in HMV but didn't look all that good, thought i'd ask as your the expert.

Mort {Ed001's Note - I have no idea what the other book could be! As for the Wolf film, if you like the arty, flying by wires, martial arts films, then you will enjoy it. It is not my type of thing though.}

Its initials are KS, someone bought it us the other xmas as a joke!

I did enjoy Crouching Tiger and Hero which has a lot of arty on wires stuff, but they create a good story so you tend to forget it a bit.

I'd rather just see some one like Jet Li or Donnie just tear through a room full or opponents though with little fuss.

Mort {Ed001's Note - ohhhh got you now! I was thinking you meant a recent book, never even thought of an old one like that.}

The old ones are the best ;) Mort

Any more on Ip Man 3? {Ed001's Note - last I heard Donnie Yen had pulled out, as has the director Wilson Yip, due to funding issues. I believe it was put on hold for now, as Raymond Chow wanted to cancel the planned 3D to save funds and replace the director with his son.}

Shame I was looking forward to that. First 2 are 2 of the best films I've seen this year.

Mort {Ed001's Note - me too, I was gutted when Yen pulled out, as it would always be difficult to get funding for the film without him starring. Plus I really like him, he always seems to be worth watching, even in Blade 2, when he is the only worthwhile thing about the film!}

He was in Blade 2? I must have seen that film a half dozen times! Can't place him, maybe I should watch it sober? I think Ron Perlman distracts too much in that. Last time saw that ended up in an argument that it was Cat from Red Dwarf as one of the vampires.

Some actors tend to do that, be in stuff and you don't recognise them.

Mort {Ed001's Note - it is Cat then? I wasn't sure if that was how I knew him or not. Yes, Donnie Yen is the silent swordsman that is completely wasted and ridiculously underused. I really wanted to see him and Wesley go blade for blade in it, so to speak, but they never did.}

Yeah didn't think he was in it for long, sounds totally wasted.

Yeah it is Danny John-Jules. Interesting guy.

Mort {Ed001's Note - not a good vampire though, he doesn't radiate menace, he just seems like Cat still.}

Well I was half expecting him to come out with something about his costume like "All this leather and no sequins? Yoooowwww" In fact I think that was what stared the argument over whether it was him or not.

Maybe just can't take him seriously as anything that's supposed to be a menace.

Mort {Ed001's Note - I think it is that, probably unfair to him, but it just seems he hasn't the talent to make himself appear to be anything else.}

Maybe or people are so used to seeing him as Cat that they expect a comedic song and dance routine part way through?

We watch Death in Paradise, the Ben Miller cop show set in the Caribbean and DJJ is pretty good in that, not Cat like at all.

Mort {Ed001's Note - I have never even heard of that.}

Its a BBC1 show, usually on in the early week, Monday/ Tuesday sort of thing. Its not going to win awards, but its entertaining, not always a predictable who-dunnit, and they do have some pretty decent guest stars.

And the scenery isn't to be bad, think its filmed in Guadaloupe. Saving for a Caribbean cruise so gets us in the mood for sun sea and sand.

Also its one of the few bits of tv we can both watch and enjoy as she isn't fond of sci-fi/ fantasy and I hate soaps and that Only Made in Geordie Shore rubbish. We really have to stick to cop shows, drama/ thriller sort of stuff. Movie night is a right battle of wits.

Mort {Ed001's Note - sounds like you need to introduce her to the joy of martial arts films mate - once she realises that there are usually lots of fit guys with their tops off I am sure she will begin to appreciate the merits of them!}

To be fair she has watched a few she does seem to be into Jet Li which is a worry!

If I catch the right mood can usually get away with most things film wise, as long as it has a story. Something like war is usually a good choice, not much martial arts but Li and Statham, and from there can suggest something else.

Of course have to suffer the odd chick flick.

Mort {Ed001's Note - suffer being the appropriate word there.}

Depends what it is, I can stomach the British rom coms but the yank ones are awful. Anything with music is usually alright.

Mort